A girlfriend of mine recently got Pergo floors...they waffled for a long time between hardwood and Pergo. The laminate won out because they plan on getting a couple of dogs in the next few years (and on having some kids) so they wanted something indestructable. A mom I know through my local club breeds Burnese Mountain Dogs (or something like that)--they are huge St. Bernard-looking things--anyway...she also has a grooming business on the side and allso occasionally boards. Those floors get a ton of use, sometimes by dogs with poorly trimmed nails. She also has a couple of teenage stepsons, not to mention her bio-brood. The floor is about 2-3 years old and looks beautiful. And no more maintainance than no-wax linoleum.

Maybe I am scarred from hardwood floors though--we had some in one of the houses I lived in growing up and my dad went completely bugnuts over their care. I can't look at one without seeing him wiping and polishing on his hands and knees every week. (He has some issues with cleanliness though, so I dunno if this is 'normal' hardwood care or not)

I don't like tile floors or countertops at all. They're pretty...but a pain in the rear to take care of. We have tile in our foyer, and it's fortunate we have extra tiles because already some are cracked from moving furniture in--and it's been less than 2 years.

I guess it depends on lifestyle, wear and tear, ect. I tend to go for the prettiest low-maintanace stuff...but you know, if you've got the time and inclination to care for it properly you should get whatever makes you the happiest!
-Kitty, mama to Fiona, Thomas, and Dylan.